Chapter 6:
James lay in his bed staring at the ceiling. His lights were all on and he knew his mother was only in the next room, trying to help Albus get ready for bed. His father had gone to the Ministry. James knew it was only for an hour, but he'd feel safer with him home.
As if on cue, James heard the familiar crackling of the floo powder. He turned to face his door as his father came up their stairs. He turned into James' room and sat on his bed. James could see the pain in his eyes.
"I am so sorry James. This should never have happened to you. James flung himself at his father who held him tightly.
"Did you find the guy?" James whispered, still clinging to his father.
"Not yet, but we've added wards to our house and yard. No one can get in or out now. We won't even be able to appreate here. I will not let him come near you again." Harry pulled James onto his lap. James was silent for a moment. The picture of his father creating the wall of fire appeared in his mind.
"Dad, how did you know those things didn't like fire?" James looked up to meet Harry's eyes. Harry sighed before speaking.
"They are called Inferius. Fire is one of the few things that can destroy them. I know this because I went to that cave with Albus Dumbledore when I was sixteen." Harry let his words sink in. He knew he'd have questions and he deserved answers after what he'd been through.
"Why did he bring you there?"
"Voldemort was hiding something there. Something we needed to destroy him. Dumbledore brought me to try to teach me how to destroy him." Harry watched as his son thought over his words.
"What was it?" Harry kissed the top of his eldest son's head.
"I promise I will tell you that when you are older." James hated not knowing, but decided to except his father's answer.
"Did any of the – the Inferius hurt you?" James watched as his father closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Without saying anything, James knew the answer. Harry opened his eyes and looked at James.
"One pulled me under." James leaned into his father's chest.
"That was so scary. I thought Lily was going to die. I didn't know how to help her. I just thought I have to protect Albus now." Tears leaked from James' eyes. He felt his father tighten his grip around him and felt comforted by it.
"You did such a great job James. I really am proud of you. You kept your head and did what you could to save yourself and Lily and Albus. You really did save all of you. If you hadn't kept you head, we may not have gotten to you in time. You showed so much courage and I am so so proud of you." James smiled as he hugged his dad. He wasn't sure how long they sat like that, but too soon he felt his father loosen his grip.
"How about you and your sibling sleep with Mom and I." James noticed it wasn't a question, it was more like a request. James jumped off his father's lap, who grabbed his pillow. The two walked to his parent's room.
James got himself comfortable under the blankets. His dad left and returned with the rest of his family. He carried his sister, who had his neck wrapped in a choke hold, to the bed. James smiled as Lily climbed over him to sleep in between his brother and him. He felt the blankets move as his father joined them in the bed. James smiled as his dad ran his fingers through his hair.
"Wake me up for anything. I'm here." James smiled as he cozied up against his father. He nodded as his father continued to stroke his hair, lulling him to sleep.